I’ve thought about this at some length, and, it’s a common question I’m asked about by friends etc when wanting to grow tomatoes.
In my admittedly limited experience of growing tomatoes in grow-bags I’ve found that the plants have required more attention as a result of the grow-bags.
Firstly, it’s well documented that tomatoes require support. They grow deep roots to search for nutrients and water. Grow-bags do not accommodate this. They are less supported by their root system in grow-bags without the usual staking they require. Now, the staking they require – usually by bamboo canes, cannot be pushed in deeply enough in order to provide good support without them leaning over, or collapsing in heavy rain.
So, what do you do to deal with this? Spend more money to get special wire support stands to put canes in. Or, buy ‘Grow-Pots’ or similar (which are a pretty neat idea as it happens) in order to heighten the level of compost around the tomato plant, plus provides a reservoir of water to enable efficient watering. Which brings me on to the next problem with grow-bags……
Have you ever tried watering them successfully? It’s pretty difficult in my experience. Most of the water runs off the grow bag, and it doesn’t hold much water in it. In really dry weather I’ve found myself having to water them twice a day and the plants still wilt after a few hours. Again, unless you buy further gadgets such as the ‘Grow-Pots’ to put them in, it’s made far more complicated than it needs to be.
So, if I’m asked, tomato plants should be planted directly in the ground once hardened off, or in deep plant pots at least 10 inches in diameter. (Plastic or metal is actually better than terracotta, unless you line the terracotta pots with an old compost bag).
So, are grow-bags worth it generally? Yes, I think so. Strawberries do pretty well in grow bags. There is no need to provide a mulch – the plastic grow bag cover provides this if you plant through a small slit rather than cutting out a huge hole. Growing other vegetables such as lettuces, beetroot etc are great. Also for growing herbs. But for tomatoes – no, they are not worth it.
I agree … growing tomatoes in grow bags requires more work because of the limited supply of water and area for root growth.
I think that large pots and containers are better.
Absolutely Nick. Whilst ‘Grow Pots’ are a very clever solution to the tomato-grow-bag problem, you’d not have the problem in the first place if you planted them straight into a pot that would probably be cheaper than the ‘Grow Pots’.
You could still buy the grow bags for the enriched compost, but just empty the soil into a plant pot instead of planting into the grow-bag.
I’d be interested to know what other people’s experiences are too. Can’t be just us two!